Post by setyoufree on Jul 3, 2011 22:19:40 GMT -5

seems to me 90% of this thread is people complaining about a set sucking because they were at the very back.on that note, I tried eminem for about 15 minutes before realizing I couldnt hear Leno and went on a stroll. that was disappointing but I wasnt suprised.Was right up front for superjam and had a killer time, dont quite get the complaints unless people just didnt like the tunes they were doing, it was a very bonnaroo moment, and "Such a Night" was in my top 5 moments of the weekend.Was in the pit for primus, and loved every moment of it, though I did regret having to leave mmj, but somehow sneaking into the pit made it worth it. I did help some folks out at the back of ocms by telling them to go to the pit at the front of which... since it seemed like no one was using them all weekendseems to me that roo seriously needs to consider a sound system upgrade if they are going to have 80,000 on the farm every year.

Post by cdevaney on Jul 3, 2011 22:44:53 GMT -5

I agree that geography is a large part of enjoyment. There's a lot less distraction when you're right up front than there is a hundred yards back. You can see more and hear more and, generally speaking, you are surrounded by dedicated fans.

Re: Sleigh Bells, we were right outside of the tent but still couldn't see. The crowd on the edge of the tent was two people high with folks standing on trash cans and sitting on shoulders. Plus the ground kind of slopes down on the side of The Other Tent (and one side of That Tent) and that makes it harder to see and here. So there's that.

Post by Od Lid Johnny on Jul 4, 2011 10:46:11 GMT -5

The Strokes sure were a disappointment. I am sure it was due to the lack of energy around me, but I had no problem mustering up my own crowd energy throughout the whole weekend. Maybe I was ACTUALLY tired. Oh well, same as it ever was.

Post by BŊDT on Jul 4, 2011 11:22:37 GMT -5

To The Strokes I say, I had a great time at the end of their set because I walked up to around the beer stand area where you can see the screen.. and was also coming off the energy of Robyn and some Explosions. So I disagree about disappointment.

I knew it was gonna be an awful decision of Roo to have Sleigh Bells at the Other Tent, the smallest tent near an entrance...first time they ever let so many people in for Thursday morning. Disaster.Never seen a tent so packed on a Thursday but it was a precursor to the whole packed in feeling of the fest

Post by Od Lid Johnny on Jul 4, 2011 11:36:13 GMT -5

I must reword a little. The Strokes themselves did not disappoint. I knew to expect the attitude of the band, which is one of the things I enjoy about them. I just don't think a lot in the crowd knew what to expect, causing lots to not get into the rhythm. I am sure my tone deaf singing all of the songs did not help their experience much. lol

Post by footballbat on Jul 4, 2011 15:29:48 GMT -5

For hype-to-bang ratio, Ray LaMontagne fell flat for me. The dude was putting me to sleep. The girls wanted to see him, though, so my buddy and I bailed out just in time to catch all of Florence and that was a winning decision.

Post by harry61991 on Jul 6, 2011 11:59:33 GMT -5

seems to me 90% of this thread is people complaining about a set sucking because they were at the very back.on that note, I tried eminem for about 15 minutes before realizing I couldnt hear Leno and went on a stroll. that was disappointing but I wasnt suprised.Was right up front for superjam and had a killer time, dont quite get the complaints unless people just didnt like the tunes they were doing, it was a very bonnaroo moment, and "Such a Night" was in my top 5 moments of the weekend.Was in the pit for primus, and loved every moment of it, though I did regret having to leave mmj, but somehow sneaking into the pit made it worth it. I did help some folks out at the back of ocms by telling them to go to the pit at the front of which... since it seemed like no one was using them all weekendseems to me that roo seriously needs to consider a sound system upgrade if they are going to have 80,000 on the farm every year.

But it really had nothing to do with distance. i walked to the back wall of the what stage during widespread panic to take a pic and could hear their sound just fine. and once Buffalo Springfield broke out the electric guitars they were loud from a distance.

Post by Guest on Jul 8, 2011 2:01:46 GMT -5

I understand the sentiment that headliners should play longer, and I kind of agree, but Arcade Fire definitely killed it in their 90 minute set. That was nothing short of incredible, regardless of the length.

Yes but now you have opened the flood gates for 90 minute headliners. Two of the three played 90 min or less and the other one is the throw in band they always book. I seriously hope this was a one time deal.

I agree. And that's not to say Arcade Fire weren't phenomenal, because they were - out of the 8 headlining sets I've now seen at Roo, I think they trail only Pearl Jam as the best. However, one of my favorite things about Roo is the longer set times as compared to Coachella and Lollapalooza. That and late nights are the two main things that set Roo a step above the other big American festivals in my mind. I'm really hoping the days of 2.5-3 hour headlining sets are not behind us forever, because that would be extremely disappointing.

^^THIS x 100 (and in no way is that a smite against the smaller artists). At the very least, if they can't fix the horrible soundbleed, then they should avoid scheduling acts there during high profile Which Stage acts. I was up by the trees during Buffalo Springfield, and absolutely should NOT have been able to hear Tristen more clearly than Buffalo.

Post by quacker on Jul 8, 2011 8:49:49 GMT -5

^^THIS x 100 (and in no way is that a smite against the smaller artists). At the very least, if they can't fix the horrible soundbleed, then they should avoid scheduling acts there during high profile Which Stage acts. I was up by the trees during Buffalo Springfield, and absolutely should NOT have been able to hear Tristen more clearly than Buffalo.

Yeah just to clarify this was not meant as a jab at the smaller acts. They need their venue too and I like being able to check them out. It's just the fact that they jammed Which with bigger crowds that forced many of us to listen to the On Tap Lounge sound bleed instead of the Which headliner. To Roo's credit though the Which screen was a great improvement.

Post by pondo ROCKS on Jul 8, 2011 12:41:05 GMT -5

Yes but now you have opened the flood gates for 90 minute headliners. Two of the three played 90 min or less and the other one is the throw in band they always book. I seriously hope this was a one time deal.

I agree. And that's not to say Arcade Fire weren't phenomenal, because they were - out of the 8 headlining sets I've now seen at Roo, I think they trail only Pearl Jam as the best. However, one of my favorite things about Roo is the longer set times as compared to Coachella and Lollapalooza. That and late nights are the two main things that set Roo a step above the other big American festivals in my mind. I'm really hoping the days of 2.5-3 hour headlining sets are not behind us forever, because that would be extremely disappointing.

You hit the nail right on the head mate. Could you imagine Pearl Jam only going 90 minutes? Heck they just started finding their groove then. How about Radiohead or Bruce Springsteen? How many times have the Disco Biscuits played for hours on end as well? Please do NOT start this trend of shortened headlining sets and late night sets. IMO, if you cannot play longer than 90 minutes, maybe you should not be a headliner (yes I know Arcade Fire was great and what not, but Eminem easily could have gone for 2 hours if he did not do a medley of his hits. Heck he lip-synced some so it should not have been that hard)

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Post by surfbumdj on Jul 14, 2011 14:51:57 GMT -5

I was disappointed by Bela Fleck, Shpongle and of course the sound at BS. I was close up on the left side (my arms were on the VIP area) and the sound in my car is louder than what was pumping out of the speakers on that side. Tons of people were yelling "turn it up!" around me. My biggest disappointment was Robert Plant. He was trying, but it just never really got to a hook point where the set got good.

Post by Madeline on Jul 20, 2011 18:53:53 GMT -5

I was disappointed that I didn't get into the pit for Mumford- they were INSANELY strict about who they let in. I guess people had spent their entire day in line for the mumford pit. (what a waste! I still got to see the show way up close and had a BLAST, AND got to see other music all day.) The show was great anyway! The crowd up front was so into it.

I was also a little bored with Freelance Whales. They were really "blah" in the middle of their set, but then they played all the songs I love and made up for it.

Eminem was great. I don't get all the complaints. It was one of the best points of the weekend for me!